About me

Hi and welcome!

I'm Heather Denny, the Hypnotherapist, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Now that you've found my profile: “How can I help you?”

If you feel stressed, overwhelmed, held back by fears or negative experiences; have a habit that you’d like to break or an emotional or physical condition that you're wondering may be helped by hypnotherapy, why not give me a call for a free no commitment consultation? I’d love to hear from you.

Everyone is unique so I adapt my approach to suit each individual client. Each of my clients has taken a different route to get to where they are so therefore I never use the exact same approach with any two clients. Primarily I work using three main skill sets: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) which is sometimes referred to as 'Tapping'; Hypnotherapy; and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Let me explain each of these to you:

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT):

“The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system”

It’s probably best to kick-off by explaining how people experience EFT in practice. Have you ever felt a ‘twang’ of emotion when recalling an upsetting experience? The incident may have taken place years ago but somehow the residue of pain or emotional discomfort can still be triggered and continues to live on inside you. Well if you have, Emotional Freedom Techniques can be just what you need to ease that discomfort and free yourself to move forward.

EFT works by gently tapping acupressure points, while you 'tune in' to a negative emotion, to restore balance in your energy system.

Why would I need to ease the discomfort from an experience that took place years ago?Very often we don’t take time to deal with and resolve the upsetting events that take place in our lives, we’re simply too busy. We might tell ourselves that ‘time is a great healer’, we trudge on bravely imagining that we’re over past upsets, they’re done and dusted, they can no longer bother us. We may appear to function normally but the effects of the unresolved emotion can remain embedded in us, impeding our progress and possibly preventing us from achieving our goals and living our lives to the full.

This is the core of my work. Hypnotherapy refers to the suite of skills I use to resolve my clients' problems. When thinking 'Hypnotherapy' most people's minds immediately turn to hypnosis and they would, of course, be absolutely right. I use hypnosis, in one form or another, in almost every client consultation but hypnosis is just one of the valuable interventions I use to help my clients achieve the outcomes they desire.

What is hypnosis like? Many of my clients are surprised to learn that a hypnotic trance feels completely comfortable and familiar, and there's a very good reason for this: hypnosis is perfectly natural and normal. It is a state you experience many times every day. One of the reasons you’ll find hypnosis feels so normal and natural is because you go through a hypnotic state just as you awaken in the morning; immediately before you drift off to sleep; and on many occasions in between. Hypnosis is simply an altered state of awareness, like when you’re day-dreaming or being 'en-tranced' watching a film.

We will achieve the changes you desire by utilising your natural ability to go into trance and, once you’re in a hypnotic trance, I’ll deliver the hypnotherapy you want to achieve your personal goals – it really can be that easy!

What makes hypnosis so effective? This is a very good question. A special characteristic of hypnosis is that the suggestions I give can bypass something called ‘the critical factor’, the barrier between your conscious and unconscious mind. Your unconscious is by far the most powerful part of your mind but it’s usually protected by ‘the critical factor’. Your unconscious is where your habits; long-term memories; emotions; and imagination reside. To access your unconscious we first have to get past your conscious mind and here is where my skill as a hypnotherapist comes in.

Imagine for a moment trying to tell a smoker when they are fully awake that they are a non-smoker. Would they believe you? No, they wouldn’t because changing a belief or behaviour just isn’t that simple. If you tell someone that they are something that they are not their conscious mind quite rightly disagrees, the conscious mind is not easily fooled! However, by using hypnosis to remove this barrier to your unconscious mind I can install desired beliefs into your unconscious: beliefs that you will comfortably accept and act upon when you’re out of hypnosis. Great, isn’t it?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP):

Neuro-Linguistic Programming comprises a suite of tried and tested techniques which I call upon to help unpick the strategies you use to hold you back. Once these strategies have been addressed I may use my skills help you change your behaviours and responses. Some of the techniques in NLP are very closely related to hypnosis, this is because the co-founders of NLP, Richard Bandler and John Grinder carefully studied Milton H Erickson, a master hypnotherapist and psychotherapist, so that they could analyse and record the detailed steps he took to resolve his clients’ issues. The work Bandler and Grinder did with Milton Erickson became one of the cornerstones of NLP.

Are you still wondering “why you should work with me?”

For nearly a decade I have been helping people in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire to:

reach their goals

ease and eliminate anxieties, fears, and phobias

lose weight or become non-smokers

break habits like teeth grinding or bruxism, nail biting or blushing

overcome the challenge of addiction

address pain and discomfort

anger management

be comfortable with public speaking and giving performances

help themselves to a better night’s sleep

manage stress and anxiety

build self-esteem and confidence

or simply learn the skills to relax easily

The therapies I use are great, they can help you in ways you most likely never thought possible. Many clients come to me with one issue which, once unpicked and resolved, yields unexpected benefits in other areas of their lives - why not experience this for yourself?

Call me now on 07834 754608 for an informal chat.

Training, qualifications & experience

I qualified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist in 2006 with the highly regarded Institute of Clinical Hypnosis in London and I am registered with the General Hypnotherapy Register.

In 2009 I developed my therapeutic skills to include Neuro-Linguistic Programming by training and qualifying as a NLP Practitioner.

Having used EFT since 2007, I upgraded my EFT qualifications to become registered as an Accredited Certified EFT Practitioner with AAMET in 2015.

Published articles

Further information

Testimonials

“I first went to see Heather in January with a problem based on my childhood that I could not shift at all. It was a very sensitive issue which I find very hard to talk about. Seeing Heather a few times really helped, I felt really relaxed; she makes you feel very warm and welcome. We went through different techniques to help talking about issues and I felt this was very useful. I also went back to Heather for other issues for Anxiety, same again used some different techniques and also hypnotherapy which I found really good, nothing to be frightened of, I found this really relaxing, and would definitely recommend it. I'm feeling much better now and would always go back to Heather if I needed too.” Anonymous, St Albans

“My 9 year old son had one treatment and it has made a significant difference to his anxiety and behavioural issues. It has turned our lives around for the better and we have never been happier! I truly believe you do some amazing and life changing work. Sincerest thanks.” E Hardy, Bedfordshire

“I was embarking on a completely new career which involved getting over a lifetime fear of presenting to a room of people. After spending time with Heather she turned this fear around and although I still feel nervous before delivering a course, it's not overwhelming anymore and my confidence has grown enormously. She also gave me tools to re-align myself if I ever worried of reverting back to my old ways and I have absolute faith the methods will continue to work for me. I made an immediate connection with Heather's easy manner and I am eternally grateful for how she helped me!” Sarah M, Knebworth

"My son is a good cricketer and frequently opens the batting for his team. Last year he had a poor season and ended up losing his confidence completely, he was frequently out with only a few runs. Every time he went into bat his nerves ended up getting the better of him which started a vicious circle. We went to see Heather who used EFT to help boost his confidence and break the cycle. The session was extremely positive and Heather gave him techniques to use when going into bat - the end result was that with restored confidence his batting improved and his season ended well.

I would definitely recommend EFT to other parents of children who are having a crisis in confidence, I am sure it would also be useful for exam stress especially at this time of year.’" Anonymous, Hertfordshire

"I came to see Heather after being recommended by a good friend. I wanted to try and deal with a deep set fear of dying and leaving my children, which I just couldn't shake off. I was starting to panic even when I heard of other people with children being ill. I had four appointments with Heather but these sessions expanded into discussions around many other issues that also impacted on my life. The difference that Heather made was amazing, my fear of dying just quietly went away without me even realising. She had a massive effect on my worries around flying too. She is a lovely warm person and very easy to be with. I would recommend her for specific issues or just a general life approach tune up.’" C Smith, Hertfordshire

"Hi Heather, Just a quick line to say thank you. I came to the EFT session with a 44 year old fear trigger, and an hour later, you'd transformed it into a friendly trigger, one that both calmed and empowered me to take appropriate action. If I hadn't experienced this for myself I wouldn't have believed it was possible, and in just one session, and via Skype - amazing! Thank you so much Heather." Natasha J, Berkshire

"Thank you Heather for helping me to stop my nail biting habit. As you know, I have been a nail biter for as long as I can remember. I have never had any nails and would bite them continuously. Now, after one successful session with you, I have managed to not only grow my nails but my fingers do not find themselves in my mouth as I would often find without realising.

I do not hide my fingers anymore and I enjoy spending time painting my nails and caring for them. I would recommend Heather to anyone. Heather makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. After my hypnosis session I also felt energised and uplifted. Thank you again for your help!"V Lewis - Welwyn, Hertfordshire

"Many thanks for your help with our son's fear of dogs. I know that he enjoyed the session with you. He initially came home slightly improved. However, having practiced the exercise you gave him to do at home over the course of the next week or so he improved dramatically. We very much appreciated your follow up contact to check his progress. Not only is our dog now his best friend "in the whole world" but our son is also now not scared of any other dogs. We can now go to the park without a huge fuss about the possibility of coming across dogs. All our lives have been immeasurably improved. A huge thanks for everything you did."Abi & Marc Rawling, Knebworth, Hertfordshire

"I went to see Heather to help me with my fear and panic due to my very bad gag reflex which prevented me from benefitting from visiting my dentist. After three sessions of hypnotherapy I am 100% improved. All the work has been completed and I am at last happy to smile in public! Thank you Heather!" Lisa B, Welwyn Garden City

Important information

If you have been diagnosed with or suspect you may have a pre-existing medical condition you should consult your GP for advice, diagnosis and treatment and always inform your health professional before starting any alternative or additional therapies, treatments or making any major changes in your diet or exercise programme.